New DNA tests in murdered toddler case

The Attorney General has vowed not to pre-empt a Coroner's inquiry into the unsolved murder of Moe toddler Jaidyn Leskie, following reports of new DNA investigations in the case.

The Coroner's Office has mounted a lengthy investigation into whether there was enough new evidence to hold a public inquest into the 1997 death of Jaidyn after his mother, Bilynda Williams, wrote to Attorney-General Rob Hulls in June begging him to reopen the case.

Mrs Williams requested the investigation of two female suspects she wanted DNA tested in relation to the death of her 14-month-old son.

News reports raised speculation Mr Hulls may use powers under the Coroners' Act to direct the coroner to conduct an inquest.

But a spokesman for Mr Hulls said this power had never been used before in Victoria and was unlikely to be used now. ");document.write("

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"It's a matter that is before the Coroner's Court and it would be inappropriate for us to be pre-empting the Coroner," the spokesman said.

"We've been asked about our powers, and yes we have them. Will we use them to make a decision? We will just have to wait and see."

"The Attorney-General is letting the Coroner get on with his work and we are not going to be doing anything at the moment, we want to let the coroner do his job," he said.

Jaidyn Leskie's body was found in a dam near Moe on January 1, 1997, after he disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

Ms Williams' former boyfriend Greg Domaszewicz, who was babysitting 14-month-old Jaidyn when he disappeared, was charged with murdering the toddler but was acquitted by a Supreme Court jury in December 1998.